As Russia seeks to consolidate its hold on parts of the country seized by its troops, planning to hold a referendum in a region of eastern Ukraine where it is seeking to gain control is at an advanced stage, an assessment by UK defence analysts said.

“It is likely that Russia is in the advanced planning stages to hold a referendum. Though it is unclear if the final decision to go ahead with a vote has yet been taken,’’ the defence ministry in London said in its daily update.

When it invaded the country in February, Russia initially said it aimed to take control of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine.

Together, the two areas made up the Donbas, previously controlled by Russian-backed separatists.

However, while Moscow’s troops had so far gained control of Luhansk, they had not yet taken Donetsk, where battles continued.

“The Kremlin will likely see the military’s failure to occupy the entirety of Donetsk Oblast thus far as a setback for its maximalist objectives in Ukraine,’’ the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said as Kyiv’s fighters sought to repel the invasion, New Zealand would send 120 defence staff to Britain to help train Ukrainian soldiers.

Ms Ardern said two teams would train Ukrainian infantry with core skills for frontline combat, including weapon handling, combat first aid, operational law and more.

She said soldier training was now one of the highest priorities for Ukraine.

“New Zealand is proud to stand in solidarity alongside a number of other countries to answer that call,’’ she said.

Training would only be carried out at four locations in Britain, with New Zealand personnel not entering Ukraine.

(dpa/NAN)